Tuesday, October 11, 2011

"... MacCruimin joined my other two squires in attaching the pauldrons, rerebrace, vambrace, couter and gauntlets - my sarcophagus was almost complete. I was wrapped in skin and skin and skin again - leather and steel and more than steel - yards of tubes and wires - hydraulic arteries and electric veins.
I tested my body; shoulders, arms and hands, inside the robot I wore. Each movement pushed a trigger, triggered a lever, tripped a switch - and the leviathon was alive - mimicing my slightest gesture. Thirty-two months to find 13 perfectly matched estonium spheres, so very evenly spaced. They took the bulk of the weight - steam power took the rest.
I felt the temperature rise as the lifesblood of my machine coursed through her - vaporized water at no less than 500 degrees. Now I had my muscle.
I realized my three friends had worked steadily without word until at last, mooring chains were removed -
"Tha's it then.", MaCruimin broke the silence.
Blackwater walked up to me like a priestess at a temple. She held out my helmet - a final offering for an uneasy god. I looked for her smile to send me on my way. If she only knew what power she held - more than my contraption - more than the sum of its rivets and gears.
But it was too much for me to ask - from the last moment we may have together. I tried to smile - maybe to reassure her - maybe to simply spark a mirrored response.
I couldn't smile either.
"Here is where I should tell her how much she means to me - Here is where I should tell her I love her. ..."
I put my helmet on and felt a bead of moisture run the length of my cheek.

I am sure it was perspiration."

an excerpt from my steampunk novel,
"Broken Toys"

also cool: Had way too much fun debuting the costume in the Saturday hallways of Archon 35. Thanks to everyone who took the time to photograph and/or compliment ...

As with most legends, The "Hand of Glory" has several similar versions. Some say it is in the beginning to be made with the severed hand of a criminal(or a thief or a murderer).
Some say it is to be the left(latin - sinister) hand, some say the hand that "did the deed".
The hand is to be taken when the criminal is still hanging at the crossroads and some add that a lock of hair will also be needed. The latter to be made into wick(s), for then the hand becomes a sort of candle. A candle that lights a household for the bearer only, while it keeps sleeping residents asleep and holds any others paralyzed ... it is of course a favourite among thieves, but often at a great cost.

I have made this version in the newest of scientific fashion - guaranteed to light and shine brighter than the old temperamental dark magics ...
Of course I would never use such a villainous tool. I just wanted to satisfy an inventor's curiosity. Then again, one never knows when such a thing might come in ... "handy."

The sign read "Delicious Artwerks - Dark Delights - Dangerous Curiosities". The wall around it was made with rusted metal wire and crushed satin(the color of blood) and there were everywhere, so many "Broken Toys", we could hardly contain our lust for the intensely unnecesscary; death rays and lightning sabres, ancient masques and odd signage, a hand of glory, a typewriter that wrote in magnified images of the past and future, and a lamp made from a human skull ...
It was as beautiful as a funeral dirge, as a black rose ... as a death rattle.

We brought all of our favourite "Broken Toys" to ARCHON 35 this year. My wife and I were invited guests. I had over 30 pieces in the art show and a table in "Artist Alley". ... also ran the new armour through her paces - to much success. See other ARCHON entries for more twisted details.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Our table in "Artist's Alley" at ARCHON 35. Since I had my new illustrations and paintings in the art show, I displayed the sculpts and mods at the table.
Had much fun talking to the fandom and getting so much positive feedback on the masks and signs and other creepy, cranky things I am driven to build when no one is looking ...

Fans took home a big chunk of the new "Steampunk Sketchbooks" (both I and II)
and we completely sold out of "1000 Steampunk Creations".
yes.

Monday, August 1, 2011

jaws locked tight by a copper thicket of gears and no one keeps a better secret.pound an iron nail in for good measure -take the key and away with you and the secret keeps forever.use the key and unlock the dead box and he tells all ... e'en the secrets you don't remember telling.

all images copyright 2008 eddie wilson.respect.steampunk sketch from the worlds in my head - "we searched the wreckage that was east london and to our suprise, miss addison in full control of one of the infernal machines . miss addison then gave us a quick smile, as if she were taking a walk in abney park."

Sketchbook - Top Four - German military concepts(from left to right)- Officer - with 'stretched' picklehaub, full armoured face and breastplate.- Infantry - most common soldier on the front.- Scout/Messenger - lightweight version, trading protection for speed and manueverability.- Aeronaut - breather/filter, fleece collar and leather flightsuit specialized for extreme altitude temperatures.Bottom Right - Wing boots - maybe not so successful here ... but worth exploring -Bottom Left - I love this. Our hero, Dr. Lazarus and another single person people mover. This guy must build these in his sleep. This one seems to employ some anti-gravity device ... don't worry, there are still plenty of shiny levers to twist and crank. Drop fin stabilizer retracts upon landing. Angel crest 'masthead' ensures style is never left behind. Top hat and opera cape worthy - as always.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.The book itself will be available soon.

Retro Rockets ...Top Left - centipede train - runnin' all day - can't get on, can't get off - centipede train take your centipedes away (obscure song reference ... sorry)Top Right - One man total body robo armour suit go! I am pretty sure the top of the helmet lowers to seal with the lower helmet in case of ... saay ...nuclear blasts and the like.I like the little dings in the round feet.Lower Right - Stopping to walk the dog on Pluto (classic spaceship - classic gag)Lower Left - Are there sharks on Venus? Dude, your in an adventure story, in a spaceship, on freakin' Venus ... sharks are going to be the least of your problems ... and to fairly answer your question ... yes. Yes, there are.

I love these pudgy little rockets. i just love them. If I were a little bit weirder and a whole lot richer, I would totally build one in the back yard.OK - forget the weirder part ... I just need some buckets of cash and I am good to go.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.The book itself will be available soon.

Growing up, our neighbors had a big wheel and we did not. I really, really wanted a big wheel. They kept putting the brakes on in the same place until the plastic wore flat on one side. I don't know why I told you that.This drawing evolved from the machine. The machine evolved from many attempts to draw the mono-wheel vehicle(which many have built in real life). I finally decided to move the driver outside of the wheel and make room for a larger engine. Old number 7 boasts a spherical boiler, twin stacks and a coach lamp on the tail. Fender ornament and brass inlayed control levers available on LE models only. This could also be titled, "Miss Addison's Wild Ride".Although, who exactly Miss Addison is and what she is doing tearing through the unsuspecting streets of Manchester is beyond me.I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.The book itself will be available soon.

Sketchbook - Top Left - idea for a photgraphic portrait ... close up, face partially hidden by hand holding neck of violin.Ribbon/belt loosely wrapped and cascading down. pocket watches and skeleton keys hanging from end. pins and buttons across top hat. skull with bowler in background .... veeery skeeery.Top Right - idea for sculpture/wall hanging. Face/partial head(no back) and upper torso(no back). texture of rough twisted metal ... heart cut out cleanly ... buckles and rivets as needed.Lower Right - werecat gypsie wearing military coat. My what big claws you have ....Lower Left - Never too many studies of Victorian beauty -Center - Mask idea. heavy eyeliner bleed(down and to the right). Melted, twisted metal across top of face and part of halo. Amanda Palmer eyebrow(1). Other eyebrow pierced and hooped.ear ring dangling with beads, feathers, skeleton key and other jinglies. doll mouth. buckles and rivets as needed.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.The book itself will be available soon.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - best Verne ever. And growing up with Disney's Nautilus and James Mason's moody portrayal of the villain/hero/villain was an amazing inspiration. I drew out my version of the real star of the the story and then added a steam/paddle ship for scale. Then I quickly realized the submarine should be twice the size in comparison.I reworked the dive suits to have not only a great lobster tail/swim fin for propulsion, but decided a single giant crab claw would come in handy too.The robot looking thingy with the half sphere wheels might be an interior worker drone or a high risk area (radiation) suit.The little mono wheel driver and his friend in the lower right corner are completely unrelated to the book but had the occasion to be drawn on the same page ...

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.The book itself will be available soon.

This was a rare occasion when there was no deep meaning, no symbolism, no ulterior motive ... I just wanted to draw some steampunk transport that was different. I usually engineer the devices first - form following function. This one came out breach and I just love it. There is so much energy in the wild ride and the fact that he is above 3 sets of blades adds a level of discomfort and danger.Then of course I just had to go and make sense of this crazy thing. First of all - how would it land? Well it just sets down and lets that drill bit thingy on the bottom bore a little into the ground. (see? makes perfect sense) Then how does the professor get up and down from the control platform? Maybe the platform itself extends out and down ... ( a completely reasonable use of flight weight resources)You know what? Never mind any of this ... the fact that you can fly this thing thirteen levers and three feet off the ground, flames pouring out of her stack all in a top hat and opera cape should be good enough ... very good enough.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.The book itself will be available soon.

And lo, Lucifer was His favorite and she was the handsomest of all the angels. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, star of the morning! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will create steampunk and keep my pressure gauges in the red and build way cool power gauntlets and I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will be like the most High.”

oooooh. big mistake.

Can't wait to paint the burning embers on the edges of the feathers and the sparks trailing off the wings and hair.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.The book itself will be available soon.

Most of my sketches can be better developed into finished color pieces even though the idea also works in black and white.
Hearts Afire was designed for color and nothing else. A dark archway in the background contrasting the white splash across her chest ending in a bigger splash of burning edges/embers off her shoulder. Deep purple/blue hues used in her hair/derby/goggles/hosiery/lips and power gloves ...and a bright red heart sewn on her chest.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .
eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.
Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.
The book itself will be available soon.

Narnia Damn Business -
Sketchbook
This really has nothing to do with the "Lion, Witch and Wardrobe" series.
I really just started drawing a lion - with armour. - a lion that wasn't a lion - that had a floating crown - that had a magic flame above it - and a beautiful girl who could hold her own when standing back to back with this majestic creature - and to finish it all off, they would of course reside in an exotic palace with great open passageways to share the environment with nature and the birds would come and go at will ....
Only when naming it did I realize I was looking at a young warrior queen and a Christ allegory and that something seemed awfully familiar ...
but that is just between you and me. If anyone else asks what the story behind this is, tell them it's -
NARNIA DAMN BUSINESS -

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .
eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.
Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.
The book itself will be available soon.

LOLLIPOPS & NIGHTMARES
Sketchbook
The temple is a crossroads and the guardian has stood as long as there have been light and darkness.
Of course those who have been found worthy to pass have been few, but always their reward is great.
... GOOD & EVIL are probably the most powerful (and common)symbols used in art and mythos.
And certainly, they have been a favorite of mine. We can tell new stories with old flavors and use the familiar to feel comfortable with one more twist on the ancient lessons - But look at the picture again, if you will, after I tell you - that the little girl is the guardian and the warrior hero is the snake ...

... and, 'yes', that is a 1200cc v-twin power gauntlet,. Thank you for noticing.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .
eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.
Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.
The book itself will be available soon.

Earth Abides ... even when Gaia is in the form of the last functioning robot ... the last remnant of mankind's short reign. She will soon grind and freeze and rust into oblivion. She will soon follow her metal brethren and their ghostly creators into a history lost forever ... but not before she provides the shelter for new birth ... the greatest of all miracles.

I decided to collect all of the sketches and concepts I have been spilling onto the page ... the result being .
eddie wilson presents: STEAMPUNK Sketchbook.
Some of these will be finished as drawings or paintings or sculptures or even costume pieces.
The book itself will be available soon.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Steampunk is a burgeoning counter-cultural movement; a genre, community, and artform. The Steampunk movement seeks to recapture the spirit of invention, adventure, and craftsmanship reminiscent of early-nineteenth century industrialization, in part, to restore a sense of wonder to a technology-jaded world.

created as part of a halloween costume - this was a thinly veiled excuse to ultimately complete a suit I would wear if I were a superhero ... or villain.Remember, never give up those life goals, kids.

Also cool - This and some other artwork of mine are in the new book "1000 STEAMPUNK CREATIONS" http://whisperstudio-brokentoys.blogspot.com/2011/05/1000-steampunk-creations.htmlto be released in May 2011. 320 pages, 1000 illustrations$25, $5 s&h .... Contact me if you are interested in a copy

Converse Allstars I painted for a Christmas gift. Outside wording is froma poem I wrote and the inside is emblazoned a madonna on one shoe and raven on the other. All very personalized.I especially like how the ghosted lettering looks in combination with the parchment style background.

Sailors on the tall ships faced the possibilty of death nearly every day whereas they came up with a simple philosophy – HOLD FAST. It even became a popular tattoo, one letter on each finger to remind them in the rigging, through a storm, under the cannon’s fire – HOLD FAST. We can all appreciate this at one time or another when our own lives threaten to come apart at the seams – HOLD FAST

Detail from another unrealized T-Shirt design.
I just still like the end result.

"Tales of the Morning Star" is an unpublished story (I wrote and illustrated)of a young captain, his ship and crew in the midst of a civil war.
This design has the Morning Star logo with a flaming skull floating menacing above. A playing card is emblazoned with the squadron patch - "Angels without mercy". A halo encircles all.
Look closely at the skull and you'll see the mark of the Morning Star (cresent and star).
Cool, huh?

"Tales of the Morning Star" is an unpublished story (I wrote and illustrated)of a young captain, his ship and crew in the midst of a civil war.
This design features Morning Star's first officer, a genetically perfected human called
"Onyx" and/or "naz d'butterfly". Caught here, high and tight, halo'd and sporting a 12 foot claymore.
Her lovely backless evening wear shows off one beautiful, feathered wing and one dreadfully painful scar

(as none of us are without those).
"Angels without Mercy" text and card logo represent the squadron affiliation.
Morning Star book logo in lower left.

"Tales of the Morning Star" is an unpublished story (I wrote and illustrated)of a young captain, his ship and crew in the midst of a civil war.
This design features Morning Star's first officer, a genetically perfected human called
"Onyx" and/or "naz d'butterfly".Caught here partially armoured and being scanned. Onyx is as serious as the business end of the claymore floating just within her grasp.
"Angels without Mercy" text and card logo on her arm and stabilizer and heraldic Earne and coup marks adorn her bare flank. The Lord's prayer is behind her - as story's of Jesus' death and resurrection are of particular interest to soldiers, and considered very strong medicine.
This one is from the archives, as you can see I was still using the logo from my first studio, "Eddie's Teddy" graphic art studio - fantasies illuminated.

Front print.
Charcoal ink on white.
Fruit of the Loom LOFTEEZ (Heavyweight)
100% preshrunk cotton(very nice).
Short Sleeve T-Shirt.
Size XXXL(3X adult triple extra large).
... bigger's better.
Only one in the world - and there won't be no more

The title speaks for itself ... for what girl in the pinnacle of her womanhood - no matter how beautiful, how soft, how ultimately feminine in the act of creation doesn't, at least once, feel like she is lost to the cold gears of inevitability - and there is nothing left of her except a "baby machine."

A crazy, fun piece done in the steampunk style to exagerate the clunky, overwrought, mechanical part of a robot in direct opposition to the gentle innocence of the girl. The subtle skeleton key? One of my favorite symbols of the hope of there being an answer ... no matter the question.

Also a black and white version of this - look for it.
8"x10" color print available for purchase

Charms -
These handsculpted beauties recall the art nouveau style of "la Belle Epoch".
Some beaded, riveted or bejewelled accents bring a delicate detail to the richly antiqued pewter finish.
Embossed words sum it all up your mantra -
Handmade and One of a Kind -
All pendants are based in an heat cured polymer clay, coated in enamel. Set on an aluminum plate(2"x1"). Various jewels, beads and metal sundries adorn the individuality of each piece.
Waxed cording and a circular metal clasp.

Find the one that speaks to you and find an added strength and clarity in your day.
"Truth and right and beauty and love surround us ...
we've but to open our heart and let them in."